Victime: Man Sentenced for Drug Debt Assault Leading to Severe Injuries
Alma, Quebec – On September 7, 2025, a harrowing incident unfolded that has resulted in a 30-month prison sentence for Jerry Bouchard. Bouchard, along with two accomplices, travelled to a residence in Alma in a Mercedes, intending to collect a drug debt from the victim. The case, heard before Judge Jean-François Poirier of the Quebec Court, saw Bouchard enter a guilty plea, accepted alongside a joint sentencing recommendation from both the prosecution and defense.
The events began when the three accused arrived at the victim’s home to settle a dispute over an outstanding drug debt. Once inside, one of the assailants used a telephone cord to strangle the victim and threatened to force him into the trunk of the car. However, the situation took an unexpected turn when a friend of the victim arrived at the residence.
The friend attempted to de-escalate the situation and negotiate a resolution. After a brief discussion, the victim agreed to pay the debt, stating he needed to retrieve the money from upstairs. Seizing the opportunity, the victim escaped by jumping from a second-story window, sustaining severe injuries to his legs. “To this day, he still has no use of his legs,” stated prosecutor François Bourgeois.
Defense counsel Julien Boulianne argued that Bouchard’s involvement was less significant, as he primarily acted as the driver. “I don’t want to diminish the actions, but my client walks with a cane and was unable to exert physical violence. His involvement is lesser. However, he was involved, and there were consequences to that involvement. Mr. Bouchard pleaded guilty quickly, avoiding a lengthy trial,” Boulianne explained.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the forfeiture of $1,500 previously deposited as bail. The Mercedes vehicle will be returned to its owner, and $5,100 seized during an earlier arrest will be returned to Bouchard, as it was legally his property. Bouchard also resolved two separate charges of violating release conditions and transferred related drug trafficking charges from Chicoutimi.
Drug Trafficking Charges Resolved
These transferred charges included possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, specifically 195 and 175-gram quantities of white powder, 500 methamphetamine tablets, and a realistic-looking imitation firearm (airsoft gun). An additional $3,239 was seized and turned over to the government. These items were discovered on the back seat of Bouchard’s vehicle during a traffic stop by the Saguenay Police Service in October 2024.
Judge Poirier reduced the sentence by 173 days to account for Bouchard’s pre-trial detention. Despite the reduction, Bouchard will serve time in a penitentiary. This case highlights the severe consequences of resorting to violence in debt collection and the lasting impact on victims of crime.
